suppress or constrain so as to lessen in intensity; "Stifle your curiosity"
make moist; "The dew moistened the meadows"
deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves)
make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible; "muffle the message"
check; keep in check (a fire)
lessen in force or effect; "soften a shock"; "break a fall"